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I just pulled a CDV from a 2003-build E46 M3 this morning. Since the BMW documentation shows it as NOT being there, I did not replace it with a modified valve.

For the M3, I recommend removing and discarding the CDV. For the E46 3-Series, there is some concern about warranty, since it is supposed to be there on the 320i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi models (but not the 328i). So you should probably stick a modified valve in there if you don't want to be concerned about the issue ever coming up during a service visit. It would be hard for them to show a deleted CDV caused a failure, but it's not worth the hassle of having to challenge them if it comes down to that. Better to just not have the issue come up at all.

CDV on a 2003 BMW M3

Here's the little bugger after being removed

Here's what you will see if your M3 does NOT have a CDV

I originally thought that the occasional CDV turning up in an M3 was due to an assembly line error. However, if this was true, the M3 CDV would look the same as the ones installed in the "ordinary" E46 models. This is not the case. The M3 CDV is a unique part. And it appears that they are being installed in ALL of the new (2003+) E46 M3 models with a 6-Speed manual.

Everything I've heard seems to say that the SMG has no CDV. Do you have any reason to believe otherwise?

Only that it wouldn't make sense for the SMG car to have one. On the other hand, it doesn't really make sense for the "regular" M3 to have one either. Until I've actually crawled under an SMG car and checked, I can't comment with authority on this.

I have an 03 build and have seen the CDV on the clutch slave cylinder but I have yet to remove it. Is there a DIY somewhere? I am pretty mechanically inclined so I think I could do this. I am unsure about the bleeding procedure though...

I have an 03 build and have seen the CDV on the clutch slave cylinder but I have yet to remove it. Is there a DIY somewhere? I am pretty mechanically inclined so I think I could do this. I am unsure about the bleeding procedure though...

Thanks Dave. I first learned about the CDV by reading your Web site. I later found that my 2004 M3 (6MT) had a CDV installed. I took the car to a local BMW shop and had them remove the CDV within an hour.

For those who live in the Seattle area... I had it done by Eastside Bavarian in Issaquah.

Hi, I'm the lucky owner of a CPO 2002 330ci 5spd with 15000k original milres. I have driven manual tranny's since I was 16 (currently 33 yrs old). All of the trannies I drove were on Hondas and needless to say I have had a very difficult time adjusting to the BMW. I suffer from the sometimes horrible launches and I have always noted how much of a delay there is when I release the clutch. 1st to 2nd is always a best effort, but what bothers me the most is when I try to speed shift 1st to 2nd. If I shift around 5500 from 1st to 2nd, the engagement of the cluch is slow...So slow in fact, that I loose around 1500 rpms if I don't push the gas before disengaging the clutch. Now I don't know how much I should "play" with learning how to shift, but all other cars I've driven that have a manual tranny loose only about 500 rpms when hard shifting from one gear to another and without having to push on the gas before the fully engaging the clutch again...

I took to the dealer and they they told me there is nothing they can do as my car has a CDV on it. Needless to say I'm not happy. I don't squeal tires for fun but 1st to 2nd and all other gears should snap to when shifting hard under acceleration...

I'm seriously considering one of the CDV's from Zeckhausen. I live in the Miami Beach area and if any of you can highly recommend a good mechanic that can truly properly asses my clutch situation, I would gladly take my vehicle to them. (I'll gladly post my VIN number as well if it helps to verify whether I should or should not have a CDV installed)

I took to the dealer and they they told me there is nothing they can do as my car has a CDV on it. Needless to say I'm not happy. I don't squeal tires for fun but 1st to 2nd and all other gears should snap to when shifting hard under acceleration...

AFAIK, the 330Ci should not have a CDV installed. I had a chance to look at the BMW ETK a couple months ago. It said the CDV should not be installed on the M3 or the 330Ci. Could anyone with Zeckhausen confirm it?

AFAIK, the 330Ci should not have a CDV installed. I had a chance to look at the BMW ETK a couple months ago. It said the CDV should not be installed on the M3 or the 330Ci. Could anyone with Zeckhausen confirm it?

Since several M3s have shown up with them, the ETK is NOT a good source for this info.

Tomorrow mine will be on the lift for springs and a ssk install. I know without looking based on your description of operation I have one of those dirty little valves on my ‘03 M3. I have been wondering for a year now why I can’t shift this thing properly. Now I know.

Tomorrow mine will be on the lift for springs and a ssk install. I know without looking based on your description of operation I have one of those dirty little valves on my ‘03 M3. I have been wondering for a year now why I can’t shift this thing properly. Now I know.

Thanks again .

-Bill

What production month is your M3? Let me know cuz I want to know if mine would have it too...

I just bought a 2001 325xi a couple days ago. The car feels awesome but I was under the impression I just need to adjust to shifting this car as I've had 6 E30's prior to this!

Well, my practice hasn't changed the way the car is so lethargic (sp) on shifting. I am so relieved to know that the CDV is the cause of this. I'm in Minnesota so I'll have mine removed at ORR BMW service in Eden Prairie. Thanks Zeckhausen for all of the great info! This is a HUGE help.

I just bought a 2001 325xi a couple days ago. The car feels awesome but I was under the impression I just need to adjust to shifting this car as I've had 6 E30's prior to this!

Well, my practice hasn't changed the way the car is so lethargic (sp) on shifting. I am so relieved to know that the CDV is the cause of this. I'm in Minnesota so I'll have mine removed at ORR BMW service in Eden Prairie. Thanks Zeckhausen for all of the great info! This is a HUGE help.

Be sure to let us know how it feels without the CDV there.

Removing the CDV on an Xi is a little more difficult, because that extra driveshaft crowds out some of the room for getting wrenches on things. But it's not that bad. It's just that the regular 325i is so easy that, after you've done a few, you resent it when someone (BMW engineers) put an extra part right smack dab in the way!